An owner/builder can theoretically do most of the work in building
his or her own house. Most building authorities recognize that people
often want to do the work themselves rather than hire professional contractors
and laborers. Of course an owner/builder is still subject to the same
code requirements as the professionals would be.

Building in this mode can save a lot of money and be immensely satisfying
at the same time. I had always wanted to design and build my own house,
and it wasn't until I was in my fifties that I was able to realize this
dream; all of the construction I did before this had been either remodeling
existing structures or working for other people. I must say that living
in a house that I designed and built brings joy to my life in many ways;
the building fits our needs and aesthetics so perfectly.

Most of the books listed here relate to conventional construction
techniques. However most of the design work and planning that goes into
building a house is the same, regardless of the materials used. Also much
of the detailed work related to electrical and plumbing, etc. is the same.

Over the course of the author's life he has engaged in numerous remodeling projects, as a professional carpenter, as a home owner, and as a renter. He draws on this experience as he explores with you what he considers to be the main principles that should guide you in your choices for your own green remodeling project.

The chapters include fitting your house to your needs, the basics of passive solar design, tips on keeping your house cool, options to power your house with renewable energy, ways to conserve water, employing local, natural and recycled materials, the value of cultivating vegetables, how to naturally store the produce that you grow, and why to consider sharing some facilities with others for economy and sustainability.

asktooltalk.com Find links to articles on home improvement, woodworking, products, and tools (including reviews); shop at the General Store; and locate manufacturers. Homeowners and construction professionals can ask questions and share ideas on projects.

needcontractor.com offers a free referral service where you submit a description of your project and they will have up to four different contractors in your area submit bids for the job.

Disclaimer
Of Liability And WarrantyI specifically disclaim any warranty, either expressed or implied,
concerning the information on these pages. Neither I nor any of the
advisor/consultants associated with this site will have liability
for loss, damage, or injury, resulting from the use of any information
found on this, or any other page at this site. Kelly Hart, Hartworks,
Inc.

Established in 2001, GreenHomeBuilding.com is primarily a labor of love. Kelly, and the GreenHomeBuilding team of experts, have answered thousands of questions for readers over the years, and we continue to publish up-to-date information about increasingly important sustainable architecture. If you feel moved to assist us in this work, your kind donation would be much appreciated; this can be easily done through our PayPal account: